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Council of the European Union 20/10/2018  Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the recent developments on the case of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi After almost three weeks, facts are finally emerging, confirming that Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed in the premises of the Consulate General of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Istanbul on 2 October 2018. The European Union expresses its deepest condolences to his family and friends and pays tribute to the memory of this respected journalist who was in direct contact for his work with many European institutions and organisations. We reaffirm our commitment to the freedom of the press and the protection of journalists across the world. The emerging circumstances of Jamal Khashoggi’s death are deeply troubling, including the shocking violation of the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and particularly its Article 55.  Therefore the European Union, like its partners, insists on the need for continued thorough, credible and transparent investigation, shedding proper clarity on the circumstances of the killing and ensuring full accountability of all those responsible for it. The memory of Jamal Khashoggi, the family of the journalist as well as his friends deserve justice. Council of the European Union 19/10/2018  Hormone-free beef: Council authorises launch of negotiations with the United States On 19 October, the Council authorised the Commission to open negotiations on an agreement with the United States on imports of high quality beef from animals not treated with certain growth promoting hormones. The Council also adopted a mandate for the negotiations, which will review the functioning of the existing quota for imports of hormone-free beef into the EU. Hormone-free beef imports are not part of the wider discussions on improving EU-US trade relations launched following the 25 July meeting between Presidents Juncker and Trump. Nevertheless, finding a mutually beneficial solution to our longstanding dispute over beef would be a major step forward in improving our trade cooperation. "It is clear that any solution, must respect the EU's high food quality and safety standards. As other member states, we are proud of the high quality of our products and the work of the agriculture sector." Margarete Schrambök, Austrian federal minister for digital and economic affairs and president of the Council The aim of the negotiations will be to settle definitively a long-standing WTO dispute. It is not meant to affect in any way the EU ban on hormones-treated beef as such. The ban remains. The EU and the United States agreed on an interim solution in 2009, later revised in 2014, which grants a tariff rate quota (TRQ) for hormone-free beef imports of 45 000 tons. In line with WTO rules, this TRQ is also available to exporters from other WTO member countries. A review of the existing arrangements was requested by the previous US Administration in 2016, and the two sides have since explored possible solutions. The aim of the negotiations is to find a mutually satisfactory solution in line with WTO rules. The Commission is not authorised to negotiate an increase in the existing TRQ but can discuss a country-specific allocation of the overall quota. Negotiations with other supplying countries may be needed to ensure that any agreed country-specific allocation with the US respects their existing rights under the WTO/GATT Agreements. Council decision authorising the opening of negotiations with the US on hormone-free beef imports European Council 19/10/2018 "Global Partners for Global Challenges" - ASEM 12 Chair's statement The 12th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM12) on 18-19 October 2018 in Brussels is hosted by the European Union and chaired by the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk. The meeting is attended by the Heads of State and Government, or their high-level representatives, of 51 Asian and European countries, the President of the European Commission and the Secretary-General of ASEAN. Under the theme "Global Partners for Global Challenges" Leaders are addressing key opportunities and challenges facing Europe and Asia in a world of accelerating change. ASEM 12 Chair's statement European Council 18/10/2018  European Council conclusions, 18 October 2018 On 18 October 2018, the European Council adopted conclusions on migration, internal security and external relations. European Council conclusions, 18 October 2018 European Council     18/10/2018  Remarks by President Donald Tusk after the European Council meetings on 17 and 18 October 2018 Good afternoon, let me start with Brexit. Yesterday, after listening to Prime Minister May's assessment of the state of the negotiations, the EU27 confirmed that we want to continue the talks in a positive spirit. Leaders expressed their full trust in Michel Barnier, and asked our negotiator to continue efforts to achieve an agreement. I stand ready to convene a European Council on Brexit, if and when the EU negotiator reports that decisive progress has been made. And we should be clear that, as for now, not enough progress has been made. As there is a lot of speculation about the length of the transition period once the UK leaves the EU, let me say this. The issue of the length of the transition period was not discussed among the EU27 leaders yesterday. But let me recall that in her Florence speech in September 2017, Prime Minister May proposed a transition period of around 2 years. And the EU accepted this proposal unanimously. Therefore, if the UK decided that an extension of the transition period would be helpful to reach a deal, I am sure that the leaders would be ready to consider it positively. Today we also discussed migration, and reconfirmed our objective to stop the flow of illegal migration. We noted in particular the need to closely watch the situation in the Western Mediterranean, and in this context, to strengthen our cooperation with Morocco, as recommended by Prime Minister Sanchez. Following our discussion in Salzburg, we also agreed conclusions on strengthening our internal security. Let me mention one issue specifically. In light of the recent hostile cyber-attack carried out against the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, the European Council calls for measures to combat illegal cyber activities. In this context, we ask ministers to work on a sanctions regime that will be specific to cyber attacks. Such a regime should help to protect our citizens, companies and institutions from all kinds of cyber security threats. Finally, on today's Euro Summit. The aim was to assess the state of play of the EMU reform, and to keep up the momentum for change. We agreed that we need to accelerate the technical work. We want to get an agreement on the banking union and the ESM in December. I hope our discussion today will inspire the Euro group to act more dynamically. Thank you.